Lady Hornets gear up for a new season
The Emporia State University women's soccer team opened its preseason at the newly renovated Blackcreek Diesel Field inside Welch Stadium, taking advantage of fresh natural grass on the ESU Pitch for their second workout.
Head coach Jane Grimley Gunn is overseeing her third training camp, focusing on integrating returning standouts such as midfielder Ella Favot and forward Megan Kephart, who combined for double‑digit points last year.
The roster also welcomes back midfielders Peyton Pipes and Ruby Ryan, along with defenders Madeline Bracy and Sammy Quiroz, all of whom earned conference honorable mentions in 2025.
Key departures and new challenges
The team will miss the contributions of graduates Abby Bachman and Mackenzi Goen, who were pivotal in the 2025 campaign and earned All‑MIAA and goalkeeper honors respectively.
Despite those losses, the coaching staff remains confident that the blend of experience and fresh talent positions the Lady Hornets to contend for another MIAA semifinal berth.
The season opener is set for Thursday, August 27, when ESU travels to face Drury University, followed by the first home game on Saturday, August 29 at 11:00 a.m.